October 26, 2011

So Mike Rizzo held a conference call with real media outlets on Wednesday, and among the nuggets shared was a confirmation that the Nationals have scouted Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. Via Mark Zuckerman:

Rizzo acknowledged his scouts saw Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish pitch several times this year. The GM himself saw Darvish, who may attempt to sign with a major-league club this winter, in person two seasons ago. "As we've always said, we're open to acquiring talent in any way, shape or form," Rizzo said. (via NatsInsider, 10/26/2011)

Let the record show that "acquiring talent in any way, shape, or form" includes overpaying for it (see Werth, Jayson). Here's a little more on Darvish, via Adam Kilgore/Washington Post:

The price to acquire would be steep. Darvish would be made available to major league organizations by his team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, via the “posting” system. Teams would submit bids, and the highest bidder would earn the right to negotiate exclusively with Darvish. Between the bid and the contract, the team that acquires Darvish will pay at least $100 million by most estimates. (via Nationals Journal, 10/26/2011)

We'd prefer it if the Nats just say away, but just in case Rizzo decides to make a batshit crazy bid for Darvish, and it sticks, up above we present that official Yu Darvish cheer song (apparently sung by fans during Darvish ABs). From YouTube user dr4b, the song goes a little something like this:

雄叫びあげて 唸るその剛腕 我らのエース 日本のエース

GoogleTranslate tells us it's something about "raising the roar roar of the Japanese Ace of our."

Sounds good. Hopefully there's no need for Nationals fans to learn the Yu Darvish song, but you're still free to sing along at home just in case.